Hey, You can expect to pay around $2,550 for rent here. With a population of 6,849, Ben Lomond is a small town. Median household income is $120,977, which feels pretty solid for the area. The unemployment rate is 7.8%, which is concerning. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. What neighborhoods would you suggest? The weather takes some getting used to. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
5 upvotes
8 Replies
Serenity Brooks
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 32, moved here 6 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The walkability situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for remote workers. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Baltimore, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
40 upvotes
Nova Hughes
I've lived in Riverside for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- The cultural scene scene is solid
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. No regrets on my end..
38 upvotes
Piper Carter
+1
37 upvotes
Clara Reed
I've lived in North for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The outdoor recreation scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. No regrets on my end..
29 upvotes
Donald A.
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
19 upvotes
Kayden S.
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great farm-to-table places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
12 upvotes
Russell K.
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
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